Micah Banuelos, 4-star OL, set to commit Monday; Will it be Oregon, USC or Texas A&M?

Kennedy Catholic (Washington) four-star offensive lineman Micah Banuelos is down to a final three of Oregon, Texas A&M and USC.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pound prospect, rated the nation's No. 13 interior offensive lineman, is set to announce his commitment Monday at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET:

At the Northwest Best Showcase earlier this summer, SBLive Sports named Banuelos the camp MVP.

"Simply put, Micah Banuelos did everything right at the Northwest Showcase. Great footwork and hands were the key to his great day, but he also showed plenty of assertiveness to ensure he got in front of as many college coaches as possible and took reps against the best defenders."

In other words, the Under Armour All-American selection should be a major prize for one of his three finalists. 

So, where is he headed?

Analysis 

For weeks, Oregon has been the presumed favorite - and not without cause (see: Banuelos wearing Oregon gloves in the main photo).

The Ducks have built a strong pipeline to the state of Washington, and Ford Sports Performance athletes in particular.

But there's a growing sense that USC has closed the gap significantly in the past few weeks.

Texas A&M feels like an "also ran" at this point.

So, the recruitment of Banuelos is shaping up to be a head-to-head battle between Oregon and USC - with the Trojans generating the most buzz in the homestretch. 

Earlier this year, Washington five-star offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. felt like a near-lock to USC before a late push from Oregon led to him signing with the Ducks. 

Could the Trojans reverse the narrative this time around, or will the Ducks hang on to land another bluechip Northwest offensive lineman?

Monday will provide the answer. 

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